42. "They are the best of us" .... yes they are

68. Here's the song that always makes me cry about the firefighters and police. (Warning: WTC images):

Believe ~ Yellowcard

Think about the love inside the strength of heart
Think about the heroes saving life in the dark
Climbing higher through the fire
Time was running out
Never knowing you weren't going to be coming down alive

But you still came back for me
You were strong and you believed

Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Be strong believe

Be strong believe

Think about the chance I never had to say
Thank you for giving up your life that day
Never fearing only hearing voices calling out
Let it all go the life that you know
Just to bring them down alive

And you still came back for me
You were strong and you've believed

Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Be strong believe

Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Be strong believe

((radio voice) ...again today, we take into our hearts and mind... Those who perished on this site one year ago and also, those who came to toil in the rubble... To bring order out of chaos,
to help us make sense of Our despair))

Wanna hold my wife when I get home
Wanna tell the kids they'll never know
How much I love to see them smile
Wanna make a change right here right now
Wanna live a life like you somehow
Wanna make your sacrifice worthwhile

Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Be strong believe

Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Be strong believe

Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Be strong believe

(background voice):
Think about the love inside the strength of heart
Think about the heroes saving lives in the dark

Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright
Be strong believe

(background voice):
Think about the chance I never had to say
Thank you for giving up your life that day

((radio voice): The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.))

I remember my hopes everyday that I watched these people go into the rubble to save others. Day after day, my heart broke as almost no one was saved other than those in the first few hours of the work. I hoped against the weight of the collapse that they would find more alive. the men that went in again and again with the dogs to search, all of those hearts were strong and faced the horror of loss.

The heart that bears the love to save other lives asks little but to be allowed to do so. I see these images of men, who to me are much like little boys whose love of life has not been reduced to serving themselves only, eagerly running forward to save others. Certainly, no one is perfect but what they do is beyond price.